A brave Reading Gurkha thanked the British public and MPs for their support from the “bottom of their Gurkha hearts” after the Government’s u-turn yesterday.

Madan Gurung, from Theale, spoke of his appreciation to the world’s media in Westminster following a successful vote to review the latest settlement rights announced by Home Office Minister Phil Woolas on Friday.

Mr Gurung was the only Reading Gurkha granted settlement to remain in the UK after Home Office Minister Phil Woolas announced on Friday only those soldiers with three years residence after service, close family in the UK, a high ranking bravery award, more than 20 years service or a medical condition related to their fighting, would qualify.

He spoke after Conservative Party leader David Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and actress and Gurkha rights campaigner Joanna Lumley were outside Westminster to hear the defeat of Government policy.

“All the support we have received is fantastic,” said the soldier who served for 24 years. “We would like to thank everybody who has supported us so far from the bottom of our Gurkha hearts, thank you.”

Gyanraj Rai, programme coordinator for the United British Gurkha Ex-Servicemen’s Association based in London Street, took more than 60 soldiers to Parliament.

The Reading Buses bus driver said: “We are very pleased with this decision and we are hopeful a decision will be made as soon as possible. We have been fighting for a very long time now and have the support of the British public.

“Millions of people in this country and many people in Reading are behind us, today is yet another step in our long road to get settlement rights and we will keep fighting.”

Speaking to the Evening Post from Westminster, one retired soldier who did not want to be named, said: “We were prepared to go on hunger strike if the result did not go our way.

“Now we are hopeful a final decision will be made very soon to allow us to settle here.”

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith also confirmed no Gurkha soldier in Britain awaiting the outcome of their case will face deportation.

Mrs Smith also wrote to Reading West MP Martin Salter, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gurkha Rights, to say the Government’s policy will be reviewed as early as this July.

The Labour MP said: “The no-deportation announcement by the Home Secretary will come as a great relief to those Gurkhas worried they could face removal from the country they served so bravely.

“I have no doubt these concessions would not have been achieved without the intense backbench campaign run on the Labour benches and out there in the country.”